Nagasaki Prefecture – A Magnificent View From The Hirado Castle Tower!

What is Hirado Castle?

Photo provided by: Public Interest Incorporated Association, Hirado City Promotion Agency

Hirado Castle is located in Nagasaki prefecture, Kyushu on Hirado Island. It was constructed during the Edo Period as the home for the Matsura family who ruled over the land at that time. It was completed in 1718. However, in 1873, it was abandoned and what is standing there now is the 1962 version reconstructed by the city of Hirado.

Incidentally, because the castle was built in Kameoka, it is also known as Kameoka Castle.

Points of Interest at Hirado Castle

Photo provided by: Public Interest Incorporated Association, Hirado City Promotion Agency

The best part of Hirado Castle is the view of the landscape from the hillside castle tower. Surrounded by ocean on three sides, you'll be able to view Kurokojima's primeval forest across the ocean or Hirado's very own Ohashi. You'll also get a wonderful view of the city sights in Hirado. Since the inside of the castle tower has been made into a museum, you can enjoy learning about the history of Hirado Castle.

Basic Information about Hirado Castle

Entrance Fee

Adults 510 yen, high schoolers 300 yen, elementary and middle schoolers 200 yen.

Hours of Operation

Open from 8:30 - 17:30. Last entry: 17:00.

Holidays

The museum is usually only closed on December 30th-31st, but some extraordinary circumstances may cause the museum to be closed on other days, so please confirm beforehand.

How to get to Hirado Castle

For those of you traveling from abroad, it is recommended that you use Fukuoka Airport. Since there are a lot of flights going in and out of that airport, you may also want to use Nagasaki Airport, which is also close.

Here is a list of steps to take in order to reach Hirado Castle.

STEP 1 : Fukuoka Airport→Hakata Station→Sasebo Station

It takes five minutes from the Fukuoka Airport Terminal Station to Hakata Station by subway. At Hakata Station, take the Express Midori Train (bound for Sasebo Station) and head for Sasebo Station. The train ride will last approximately two hours and cost 3360 yen for unreserved seats.

STEP 2: Sasebo Station→Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station

Head towards Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station using the Matsuura Railway (bound for Tabira-Hiradoguchi). The train ride will last approximately 90 minutes and cost 1340 yen.

STEP 3: Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station→Hirado Castle

At Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station, take the Saihi Bus bound for Hirado Sambashi. You can reach Hirado Castle in 10 minutes on foot if you get off at either Yukokan Bus Stop or the bus stop in front of the City Office.

For information on how to access Hakata from Tokyo, please look at the article: Ways to Travel From Tokyo To Fukuoka! A Thorough Comparison.

Hirado's Seasonal Events

Photo provided by: Public Interest Incorporated Association, Hirado City Promotion Agency

In Kameoka Park, approximately 1000 cherry blossom trees have been planted and every year at the end of March the park is filled with tourists coming to witness its beauty. Inside the park, there are also cherry blossoms that bloom once between October and January and then bloom once again in the springtime. It would also be a good idea to come and see these cherry blossoms blooming out of the standard season!